Question about lorentz-covariance of Dirac equation

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter aiqun
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Dirac Dirac equation
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the Lorentz covariance of the Dirac equation, specifically the transformation of the four-component wave function ψ(x) under Lorentz transformations. The transformation is expressed as ψ'(x') = S(a)ψ(x), where S(a) is a 4x4 matrix dependent on the Lorentz transformation parameters. Participants seek clarification on how the components of ψ' can be represented as linear combinations of the original components ψ1(x), ψ2(x), ψ3(x), and ψ4(x). The conversation also touches on the analogy with scalar fields and the agreement of numerical values across different coordinate systems.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Dirac equation and its wave function representation
  • Familiarity with Lorentz transformations and their mathematical formulation
  • Knowledge of matrix operations and linear combinations
  • Basic concepts of quantum field theory and scalar fields
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the mathematical properties of Lorentz transformations in quantum mechanics
  • Explore the derivation of the Dirac equation and its implications for particle physics
  • Investigate the representation theory of the Lorentz group and its application to fields
  • Learn about the relationship between scalar fields and spinor fields in quantum field theory
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for theoretical physicists, particularly those specializing in quantum field theory, as well as students and researchers interested in the mathematical foundations of particle physics and Lorentz covariance.

aiqun
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
ψ(x) is the four-component wave function of the Dirac equation,that is ψ(x) can be expressed by a column vector (ψ1(x) ψ2(x) ψ3(x) ψ4(x)) ,under a lorentz transformation,it will become ψ'(x').I am confused that how ψ'(x') can be expressd
in the form which is stated by textbooks: ψ'(x')=S(a)ψ(x)
(a is the matrix of the lorentz transformation ,S(a) is a 4*4 matrix which is a function of the parameters of a )
clearly.ψ'(x') is a funtion of x',ψ(x) is funtion of x,my question is for example ,how can
ψ'1(x') can be expressed by a linear combination of ψ1(x), ψ2(x) ,ψ3(x)and ψ4(x)?
is there someone can help me?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
try just to do it for some special cases, e.g.

start from the dirac-plane waves at rest, and boost them to a momentum p

etc
 
First let's do a scalar field. A classical real scalar field assigns a real number to each point in spacetime. All observers agree on the value of that number for each point. If Alice uses coordinates x, she can write down a function \varphi(x) that gives the number assigned by the field to the point she labels with coordinates x. Bob uses different coordinates x', related to Alice's by a Lorentz transformation, x'=ax. Bob also uses a different function, \varphi', of his coordinates. However, since Bob and Alice agree on the value assigned by the field to any particular point, the numerical values of Bob's function of Bob's coordinates must agree with the numerical values of Alice's function of Alice's coordinates; that is, we must have \varphi'(x')=\varphi(x).

For fields in other representations of the Lorentz group, such as a Dirac field, this gets generalized to \psi'(x')=S(a)\psi(x), where S(a) is a matrix that acts on the index carried by the field.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
5K
  • · Replies 40 ·
2
Replies
40
Views
5K